Remy Lai’s third book, Pawcasso, has a uniquely charming star: a dog that goes out to do shopping on his own! Gazing out the window during a boring, lonely school holiday, Jo thinks she must be dreaming the first time she sees a dog walking by with a shopping basket in its mouth. The second time Jo sees the dog, she decides follow, and learns it doesn’t just shop for groceries, it also picks up books from the library and has other adventures.

As she follows Pawcasso, Jo is swept up in many activities full of excitement and new friends, including watching Pawcasso become the star of an art class where everyone is excited to meet such a beautiful and clever dog. Jo is so excited to accompany him, and to meet all these new people, that when people assume she is Pawcasso’s human, she doesn’t quite manage to correct them. Things start to get stressful, however, as her little lie snowballs.

This is a funny and heartwarming graphic novel that celebrates community and friendship. Lai is known for delicious, sweet details in her books, such as the cake recipes in her debut Pie in the Sky, so naturally this book includes a dog-friendly ice cream recipe at the end that readers can make to share with a furry friend. Highly recommended for all dog, art and ice cream lovers ages 8+.

Kim Gruschow is the children’s book buyer at Readings St Kilda.